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20th Anniversary – CSM Impact
Dale Long and his team in Philly
Wesley United Methodist Church of Selinsgrove, PA has faithfully served with CSM for years. Their youth director, Dale Long, was pretty hesitant at his pastor’s suggestion of bringing 20 kids (ages 12-18) to the inner-city of Washington, DC.
“I thought it was insane,” Dale remembers, “But reluctantly I agreed. We have been a total of nine trips, in four different cities, with new kids going each year and our trips have inspired adult groups from our church to go on trips with CSM. So I guess what started out as one small group of teenagers going on a mission trip has actually had an impact on our whole church.”
Dale has seen himself, his youth, adults and church community being transformed because of their time in the city.
“I learned to be more aware of the people around me, those folks who our society seems to write off as unworthy or unwanted.”
And though each trip has been full of life lessons, the one he cherishes the most is that of a relationship formed between his group and former CSM City Host, Holly. During one of Wesley UMC’s trips to Washington, DC Holly was appointed to guide them throughout their time in the city. But it didn’t end there!
“She touched the hearts of everyone on that trip, so we decided it would be cool to keep in touch with her and we did. About two years later we heard that she was having some serious health issues and she had quite a rough time for a few years. But throughout the ordeal she continued to trust God and look for ways to serve and reach out to hurting people. Holly has been a huge blessing and inspiration to me and I’m sure to everyone else who knows her. The way she lives her life reminds me of John 15:13, ‘Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.’”
Dale asked a few of his past participants to remember a moment or lesson that impacted them from serving with CSM. What wonderful life lessons!
Kirsten Krebs
“While in Philadelphia, God taught me a lesson through an elderly homeless man I met on the streets. On a frigid March night, I sat down to talk to a man bundled in dirty, worn-out clothes and a ragged sleeping bag. I was shocked to discover how interested he was in hearing about me and about where I was headed in life. He said, “I really appreciate you sitting and talking to me. How was your day? How is your life going?” I sat there thinking, “This man has nothing, does not know when he will get to eat again, and is living in weather I don’t even want to spend an hour in, and he is asking me about how I’m doing?” I was embarrassed that I had spent the time walking through the streets that night complaining about the cold temperature. Not once did the man complain about his living conditions. As I continued to talk to him, it became evident to me that he wanted nothing more than to teach people a lesson from his own situation. He said, “Use what you have to be successful and whatever you do, stay in school.” The lesson he taught me that night went far beyond staying in school and working hard. On that March night, one homeless man changed the way I see the world. He showed me that being thankful for the opportunities we have in life is essential if we want to survive in this imperfect world.”
Mary Kiel
“I think that (the time with CSM) has made me appreciate my blessings more. It has also changed my opinion of the homeless and less fortunate persons. To see the commitment of those who work for CSM and also their love for the homeless has made me reexamine my life and my priorities… When we meet the homeless on street to ask if we can pray with them, they ask if they can pray for us. How humbling. When we open our hearts and our minds, what wonderful things God can accomplish.”
Megan Stauffer
“Don’t take anything you do for granted, don’t think it won’t make a difference because no matter how big or small to someone, somewhere you are making a difference even if it doesn’t seem like it right then.”
Dale and his team from Wesley UMC also give us a beautiful picture of allowing God to continue to use them when they’re back at home. Every year the youth group hosts a sleep-out for the homeless. The youth and leaders spend 17 hours outside to catch a glimpse of what it would be like to sleep on the streets and to raise money for local homeless ministries. Check out this awesome article about last year’s sleep-out. Keep in mind, these brave souls live in PA and do this event every Thanksgiving weekend! Brrrr!!
CSM is richly blessed to have Wesley UMC serve with us each year—we thank them for their love for God’s people and their commitment to faithfully following Him into the city.
